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Safety concerns trigger gun lock giveaway
Some self-defense advocates oppose the new measures
By Stephanie Bertholdo Complete gun-locking systems are being given away at Agoura Hills Target Range in an effort to promote gun safety. Jim Davis, owner of the range, said he is giving away 1,400 safety kits that include a cable gun-lock system and a firearm safety brochure. The gun lock giveaway is part of a new program sponsored by Project ChildSafe. Davis said the cable-lock systems differ from trigger locks. "They stop everything, from inserting cartridges, closing it, to operating the (gun) system at all," he said. Davis added that there are seven different ways to use the lock. The Agoura range has been the scene of several gun suicides and the subject of negative publicity over the years. Davis hopes the new safety program will take his business out of the line of fire. Project ChildSafe is the largest safety education program in the country. The current campaign will distribute 12 million of the free firearm safety kits. Davis said that to obtain a free safety kit, gun owners must attend a 15-minute orientation and read and sign an agreement that certifies that they will adhere to specific safety standards. The safety locks emphasize the importance of storing guns securely and safely. "The program reminds gun owners to take steps to prevent a loaded gun from falling into the hands of a child, thereby preventing tragic accidents," according to the ChildSafe website, www.projectchild safe.org. Project ChildSafe is sponsored by the nonprofit, National Shooting Sports Foundation. It is a component of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a gun-violence prevention initiative of the U.S. Department of Justice. Some gun owners have questioned the reasoning behind gun locks, saying the mechanisms defeat the purpose of being prepared for self-defense. A ChildSafe brochure points out that a loaded gun must be supervised at all times. "When you’re not able to supervise that loaded firearm, it should be unloaded and securely stored," the brochure stated. "If you choose to keep a firearm for home security, you should consider buying special, lockable cases that can be quickly opened only by you." The Agoura Hills Target Range is open Tuesday through Thursday, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., on Fridays and Saturdays until 10 p.m., and on Sunday until 6 p.m. The range is closed Mondays. |
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